Overwatch 2: Blizzard Removing SMS Protect Functionality For A Lot Of Players

Overwatch 2 launched earlier this week. The game has been struggling in many ways since then. Some are thrilled about the number 2 while others question why the game wasn’t just an update on the previous Overwatch. However, playing Overwatch 2 was a challenge because of at least two DDoS attack Blizzard suffered. It made it difficult to queue up and get into the game beyond the endless loading screen. 

A few players were unable play after being logged into the game because of Blizzard’s SMS Protect system. It requires that each player give Blizzard their unique phone number in order to be authenticated. Pre-paid phones are not compatible with the feature, including those found in retail stores like Walmart, Metro PCS, and Cricket. If your pre-paid telephone number has been attached, it won’t work. 

Many Overwatch players expressed concern that such a system was still present in the game they loved, and Blizzard seems ready to remove it from a significant portion of its Overwatch community. 

In a blog post, the studio shares their thoughts on SMS Protect’s future.

According to the blog, Overwatch 2 is a live service that we designed. This allows us to react to many player suggestions. The blog post states that we have removed phone number restrictions for most Overwatch players. All Overwatch players with connected Battle.net accounts, including all players who played after June 9, 2021 will no longer need to give a number in order to play. The change will go live this Friday (October 7). We’re working on it. Once it goes live, we will notify players.” 

Blizzard mentions that new Battle.net accounts must still meet SMS Protect requirements to “ensure we’re protecting the community against cheating,” referring to SMS Protect’s purpose as an anti-smurfing tool. 

Blizzard has a number of solutions in progress and out-of-progress to Overwatch 2, including server crashes, stability and queue problems. If you are interested, make sure to read the entire blog. 

You can read the rest of this article while you wait. Game Informer Overwatch 2 review. 

Did you manage to get Overwatch 2 on your PC? Comment below to let us know!